La Habra, CA Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)

Chapter 5.54 splits filming into "limited filming" of six or fewer days out of ninety consecutive days, and "commercial filming" of more than six days, per the definitions in Section 5.54.010. Section 5.54.020 permits limited filming in every zone, allows commercial filming in C and M zones subject to a use permit, and allows commercial filming in R zones only with written permission from seventy-five percent of the property owners or residents within a two hundred fifty foot radius of the filming location, plus the director's approval.

Section 5.54.030 requires a permit for any commercial or limited filming on private property, and separately for filming on any city street, alley, sidewalk, park, off-street lot or other public property; filming on public property the city does not control needs written permission and permits from the entity that does, whether a school district, county or Caltrans. Section 5.54.040 exempts news filming under six days, private family use, criminal investigations and emergencies, government and public-access cable programming, city-produced filming, small enclosed-building shoots with four or fewer crew and two or fewer vehicles, and filming inside a studio.

Applications under Section 5.54.050 go to the director at least thirty days ahead, with a one million dollar liability policy naming the city as coinsured, worker's compensation coverage, a traffic control plan, and a council-set application and use fee. The director must find an application complete within five working days and issue a written decision within fifteen calendar days of completion (Section 5.54.070). A denial can be appealed to the city manager, who must hold a hearing within forty-eight hours and rule within twenty-four hours (Section 5.54.100).